356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRoKTAAIMQ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5Grk1dXeY
Aleric was a kind man. Generous to those who served him, and cruel to those against. He was a man of efficiency, but also of empathy. As the Earl of a King’s vassal state, it was imperative that he maintained the favour of his subordinates. But when a time did come that an enemy were to show their face, they were dispatched, with the utmost discretion. For that purpose, he had his hands.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvsG5bbmwM
Not the ones upon his wrists, that now shook with every waking moment. No, the red hands of the Earl remained in the shadows, until the moment they were called upon to strike.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlx2PQrgXI
Yes, he knew the rules of the game. And he knew how to cheat them. How to puppet the strings of the throne, using his age as a shroud. How to make his enemies serve his will. Yes, the game was a joyous one, to him at least. And here, in the royal throne room, was his favourite place to play.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZjlUzDrd9
An ornately dressed man stepped through the throne room door, declaring in a stately voice, “All hail, his highness, the good king Sigmund the third.”
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YpMWNbVr8
At this, the hall doors pushed open, evoking a thunderous toll as they closed behind the king himself. It was safe to say that the face did not fit the name. This man was not elegant, nor was he stately. Rather, he appeared young, yet hardened, and unkempt, clad in a simple black gambeson. At his entrance, Aleric and the other vassals all took a bow.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtuxEZnaVP
The king leaned with both hands upon the long table, stating, “I have summoned you all to this counsel for one reason: the plague.”
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO60qGYI8gs
Murmurs began to circulate between the vassals, as Aleric’s interest was piqued.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkZpb131d4
A voice spoke from the right side of the table, “Your highness, while I would not seek to contradict you, the plague is just that: a plague. We have suffered them before, and we will suffer them again. These tall tales of corpses marching to war, rott kin, are no more than scuttlebutt.”
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44VZxBA1n9
The king turned to his vassals, “Whether you would have it or not, this is the truth: the living dead march upon us, as can be backed, by the Earl Dascule.” he stated, gesturing towards Aleric. “This is not only a plague. It is an assault.”
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJDGKAY445
“I’m afraid his majesty is correct.” Aleric stated in his raspy voice, “These Rott-Kin march to battle, rather than stumbling within a shuffling horde. They are no mob of beasts, but an organised, albeit feral, militia.”
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavGE1NZkXK
“And whom do you propose would have the audacity to erect an army of these ‘Rott-Kin’, let alone train them by some means.” another of the vassals interjected.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nYVV5Ld9L
Aleric answered with a raised voice, growing impatient with his comrades, “I may be in my waning years, Viscount, but this was not always the case. I have fought many wars. Slain many foes. And I have seen things that would haunt you to the end of your days, as they do me!” Many of the other vassals began to shrink back into their seats, reminded once again that the guise of a feeble old man was but a veil. “There are powers in this world beyond you, beyond any of us. And death is their tool."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdPeWrvg9I
The king stood up then, attempting to calm himself, declaring, "Perhaps, the Earl Dascule would like to elaborate."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFm7OIbBBI
Aleric sighed. "Of course, your highness." Aleric turned to one of the men in waiting, "I bid thee to the library, fetch any scroll tome or paper involving the name 'Morturi'."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjljSRsyCkn
"Yes my lord."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTmjkbLcGa
"Now, in regard to your request." Aleric began, "Tell me, have you heard tell of the Scholars of Mortem?"
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlUYuD8RLN
"I can't say I have."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VtR38tJGR
"Necromancers, apprentices to the Lich of the east. Taught to master decay, and plague."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwJJToKFPs
"You mean to tell me…" began one of the vassals.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat51ny1Lmz
"That this 'Scholar of Mortem' does not master the Rott Kin…" The king continued.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpaAsYrToi
Aleric answered, “They create them."
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIsJndiUzY
It was then that the man sent to the library returned, arms filled with scrolls and tomes.
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SKS1IHUC8
Aleric turned to his fellow vassals, "We have work to do.”
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoFrQRzhpN
